Difference between Electronic Ballast and Magnetic Ballast: Electronic ballasts change the frequency of the current without any change in the voltage. Magnetic ballasts work at a frequency of around 60 Hz
Hertz
The hertz (symbol Hz) is the unit of frequency in the International System of Units (SI) and is defined as one cycle per second. It is named for Heinrich Rudolf Hertz, the first person to provide conclusive proof of the existence of electromagnetic waves.
What are the different types of ballast?
Different Types of Ballasts. There are several different kinds of ballasts, but the three basic types are electronic ballasts, magnetic ballasts and digital. Electronic and High Frequency Electronic Ballasts. Electronic ballasts regulate the electric flow inside the bulb through electronic circuitry.
What are the different types of ballasts?
What are Different Types of Ballasts?
- The Ballast Explained. Ballasts function to start and control the electricity flow through a lamp. ...
- Different Types of Ballasts. ...
- Electronic and High Frequency Electronic Ballasts. ...
- The Simplest Type - Magnetic Ballasts. ...
- Optimum Results with Digital Ballasts. ...
What is a T8 electronic ballast?
The main feature of the T8 ballasts means that they can operate on T8 bulbs, a particular type of fluorescent bulbs, although it can also match other types of bulb which fluoresce. … Cheaper and more efficient, the T8 Electronic ballast is definitely preferable to the old fashioned style of bulb.
How does an electrical ballast work?
How Does an Electric Ballast Work? A ballast stabilizes the current through an electrical load. The most common use is within an electrical circuit or a device that presents a negative resistance to the source. If this device was to be left connected to a constant supply of voltage, it would gradually draw more and more power until it could not ...
How do I know if my ballast is magnetic or electronic?
Method One - Use your smart phone camera. Stand under the light or a place close to the light and point your cell phone camera at the light. If you can see some strong dark strips flickering in your camera, it must be a magnetic ballast based light. Otherwise it should be an electronic ballast based light.
Can I replace a magnetic ballast with an electronic ballast?
Fortunately, compatibility isn't really an issue, as most electronic ballasts have been designed to replace existing magnetic ballasts. A preferable electronic ballast is the T8 model. This option has several advantages over the T10 and T12, including improved lighting efficiency.
What is the advantage of electronic ballast to magnetic ballast?
Electronic ballasts are more efficient and more compact in size and weight. They also provide the ability for continuous power adjustment at different settings. A disadvantage is that power fluctuations may cause a failure but this can be offset by adding a buffer capacitor.
What is the difference between electronic ballast and conventional ballast?
Electronic Ballasts They also change the frequency of the electrical current without changing the voltage. While magnetic ballasts in fluorescent lamps work at a frequency of 60hz, electronic ballasts greatly increase that frequency to 20,000hz.
Will LED tubes work with magnetic ballast?
These LED tubes are the newest, easiest to install and most expensive. They work with any kind of existing technology – whether it is T12 (Magnetic Ballast) or T8 (Electronic Ballast). To install them all you need to do is take the old fluorescent tube out and install the LED tube in its place.
How long do magnetic ballasts last?
For optimum efficiency, you should replace your magnetic ballast every 2-3 years.
Why are magnetic ballasts being replaced?
Magnetic Ballasts or Electromagnetic (EM ballasts) fluorescent ballasts are rapidly being replaced by electronic ballasts for improved energy efficiency and function.
What is magnetic ballast?
A magnetic ballast (also called a choke) contains a coil of copper wire. The magnetic field produced by the wire traps most of the current so only the right amount gets through to the fluorescent light. That amount can fluctuate depending on the thickness and length of the copper wire.
What is the purpose of magnetic ballast in fluorescent lamp?
In a fluorescent lighting system, the ballast regulates the current to the lamps and provides sufficient voltage to start the lamps. Without a ballast to limit its current, a fluorescent lamp connected directly to a high voltage power source would rapidly and uncontrollably increase its current draw.
How do I know what kind of ballast I need?
It needs to fit the electrical requirements of the lamp that it will run. When purchasing a ballast, you'll need to read the type of lamps it's designed for, how many lamps it operates, and the voltage the lamps will run on. Choosing the right ballast for a lamp will optimize the light output and life of the bulb.
Are there different types of ballasts?
And there are two types of ballasts in each family: magnetic and electronic. Magnetic ballasts are the older ballast technology. For the fluorescent family, both T12 linear fluorescents and two-pin CFLs use magnetic ballasts. For HIDs, some metal halides and HPS lamps use magnetic ballasts.
Does an electronic ballast need a starter?
No Starters Required Magnetic ballasts required a starter to get the lamp lit, electronic ballasts do not require a starter.
Why are magnetic ballasts being replaced?
Magnetic Ballasts or Electromagnetic (EM ballasts) fluorescent ballasts are rapidly being replaced by electronic ballasts for improved energy efficiency and function.
How do I know if a ballast is compatible?
Simply turn the light on, then take a photo of the fixture using your smartphone or digital camera. If there are no dark bands on the resulting image, you have an electronic ballast that is likely to work with direct drop-in LED tubes (with caveats: see the next section below).
Does an electronic ballast need a starter?
No Starters Required Magnetic ballasts required a starter to get the lamp lit, electronic ballasts do not require a starter.
How do I choose a replacement ballast?
How to pick a fluorescent ballastStep 1: Consider the lamps you're powering. ... Step 2: Consider how many lamps you're powering. ... Step 3: Consider what start type you need. ... Step 4: Consider the voltage powering your fixture. ... Step 5: Consider the dimensions of your ballast. ... Step 6: Consider the light output.
How does an electronic ballast work?
Electronic ballasts alter the flow of electricity in the light bulb by using a series of induction coils that are separated from one another. They also change the frequency of the electrical current without changing the voltage. While magnetic ballasts in fluorescent lamps work at a frequency of 60hz, electronic ballasts greatly increase that frequency to 20,000hz.
Why are electronic ballasts better than fluorescent ballasts?
In addition to not causing fluorescent flicker and noise like magnetic ballasts, electronic ballasts are preferred because they are smaller in size and weigh less. They are also great for the environment and your bank account because they are more energy-efficient and therefore lower your monthly energy bill.
How does a ballast work?
In magnetic ballasts, current flows through a coil causing an inductance that is then used to limit and stabilizes the current flowing through a gas lamp with negative resistance properties. In this way, it regulates the current in that only a steady level of alternating current actually flows through the light bulb. The amount of current produced depends on the size of the coil. This alternating flow of the current is what causes the lights of the lamp to flicker and also creates the buzzing sound.
What is ballast in light fixtures?
When talking about lighting, the ballast is the mechanism that stabilizes the electrical current that passes through the fluorescent lamp. The negative differential resistance of fluorescent tubes would cause an ever-increasing flow of current due to the lamp's resistance drops if it wasn't for the ballast regulating that current flow. In fluorescent light fixtures, two common types are electronic ballasts and magnetic ballasts.
Why do fluorescent lights make a buzzing sound?
If you've ever wondered why some of your fluorescent lamps either flicker or emit a constant buzzing sound, it's due to the type of light ballast used.
What is the advantage of using an electronic ballast?
This means that if one of the lamps goes out, this will not affect the other lamps even though all the lamps are using the same ballast.
Where are magnetic ballasts located?
These ballasts can be located inside your light sockets between the plug for the light bulb and the power chord.
What is the difference between an electronic ballast and a magnetic ballast?
What is the difference between an electronic and magnetic ballast? A magnetic ballast uses coiled wire and creates magnetic fields to transform voltage. Ag magnetic ballast does not change the frequency of the power to the lamp - it remains the same as the input power, in the United States 60 HZ.
Why is an electronic ballast cooler than magnetic?
Because the electronic ballast doesn't use could and electromagnetic fields, it can function more efficiently and cooler than magnetic. The frequency change also greatly reduces any flicker int the lamp due to burn in or improper power.
Reduced Lamp Flicker
Because the electronic ballast operates at a higher cycle rate, flicker is less noticeable.
More Efficient
Magnetic ballasts can have losses between 5-25%, while electronic ballasts have better current control making them more efficient.
No Starters Required
Magnetic ballasts required a starter to get the lamp lit, electronic ballasts do not require a starter.
Higher Price
Electronic ballasts are typically more expensive, though you may find that this is no longer a problem.
How does a rapid start ballast work?
Imagine if an oven was preheated all the time so you could bake cookies at any given moment. Rapid start ballasts rely on this preheating method so when the light switch is turned on, the lamp turns on right away.
Why do my ballasts buzz?
Magnetic ballasts are typically the culprit for buzzing and flickering because they regulate electricity incrementally.
What are the drawbacks of rapid start ballasts?
There are two drawbacks to rapid start ballasts: Rapid start ballasts are not very energy efficient. Lamps paired with rapid start ballasts will not reliably turn on if they are in sub 50-degree climates, like a freezer room or outside in cold climates. Shop rapid start ballasts.
How many watts does an instant start ballast use?
Instead, they send a high amount of voltage across the lamp upon the strike. Typically, instant start ballasts use 1.5-2 watts less per lamp than rapid start ballasts. Instant start lamps also start reliably at temperatures as low as zero degrees. Shop instant start ballasts.
What is a programmed start ballast?
Programmed start ballasts. Programmed start ballasts are typically paired with occupancy or motion sensors. If you turn fluorescent lights on and off repeatedly under short time spans, you’re actually using more energy than if you had left the light on.
What are the two types of ballasts?
There are two lamp families that work with a ballast: fluorescent and HID. And there are two types of ballasts in each family: magnetic and electronic.
Do emergency ballasts recharge themselves?
Also, did you know that most emergency ballasts recharge themselves after each use? It’s a pretty cool feature, but if the ballast is frequently used or at the end of its life, you need to make sure you replace it. The rechargeable battery will eventually no longer hold a charge.
